Kayak Building

Hello, and thank you for having me here. This is my first post so if I stray from some house rules feel free to call me out. I have a valley aleut sea 2 kayak. It cuts through the water great and my wife and I love paddling it. Key word paddling.... it’s 21’ long and we live in an apartment. Does anyone have any insight into converting this kayak into a sectional? Is it possible? Will it effect performance? How long will it take to assemble/disassemble? Can it be assembled/disassembles on location? I’m handy with fiberglass. How much special equipment, knowledge, skill etc...

Looking for the opinion of people who know more than I for using Awlgrip vs say varnish or gelcoat as a finish for a kayak. Is it a yacht quality finish the best you can get for a kayak? Is it worth it? Is it a good idea? Why or why not?

George G asked me about Bjorn Thomassen's Frej design in the 'Basswood' thread.

https://www.thomassondesign.com/en/katalog/mina-kajaker/frej

I've built two Frej kayaks - one 16' and another longer 18' version for possible use on trips.

I like them both - they are quick, roll very easily and handle waves and wind well.

I'm building my current project (Njord by Bjorn Thomassen) with strips mostly from 'boards I'll never use' and leftovers around my garage shop.

I had a piece of basswood which I added to the stock for cutting into strips.

Those basswood strips came in handy when dealing with some areas where the strips had to twist a lot - the transition from the 'flat' rear deck to the area forward of the cockpit, near the sides of the deck.

I wrote off wood and composite boats some time ago after a potentially bad experience with a build but it seems that there were things I did not know so I am revisiting the topic now that I've gotten some guidance. I would very nicely ask the forum to critique this design with the attached images.

The actual specs are 25 feet long, 30" wide. It has a pair of voids below so you're sitting 6" higher from the bottom on another deck. The front void has a bilge pump and you can flood it for better 'ballast'. You can disassemble it with screws and bolts in the middle.

I recently got new computer hardware, and lost Kayak Foundry in the process. I re-downloaded it, and it looks crappy on my new setup. Are there any other programs  available for download? Thanks.

I’ve built the Petrel S&G and purchased the skirt CLC advertises as the one that fits the Petrel, but the cord in the skirt is way too thick to squeeze into the narrow gap at 8&4 o’clock on the combing. Any ideas on what skirt fits this boat? Please help!

Hey Guys,

New question, new topic.

I am considering a double layer of 4oz fabric on the hull bottom for some added protection.  I think some call it a football. What is the process.  As an knowledge-less rookie, I would wetout and install the football, let it partially cure, do a little sanding, wetout and install a full sheet covering the entire hull, let it partially cure, place a fill coat, then a final coat.

Any thoughts/insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Greg

Afternoon Gents,

First snowstorm of the year there is Wisconsin.

150KV Waterproof IP68 Inrunner Brushless Motor 65111